In October, it will have been a year since we have gathered together, and it is time that we do so again. Much of the zeitgeist lately has been on China and all things Chinese, so we thought we would take a look at some of the very old stories involving women and goddesses in that tradition.

One of the themes of Chinese folklore is how the lead character overcomes difficulties. We have decided to overcome the difficulty of the 22 steps to the upstairs room by setting up a tent-canopy on the grass, and using that as our large-group gathering space. We wanted to make sure that those who cannot climb stairs could feel able to attend. Please keep in mind that this is an experiment, and we can use positive as well as negative feedback on how this works out. And bring your bug repellent.

The altar will also be outdoors this year, so things that you bring for the altar should be of a nature that can handle some outside exposure.

Much of Chinese culture involves contrasts: dark and light, lucky and unlucky, loud and soft, gain and loss. We will have elements of noise and quiet. We will have elements to help you release resentments in unexpected ways. We will consider our ancestors, and our own futures.

We can only savor a few flavors in a short time, so this is a light(-hearted) review of a few elements of an old and significant culture. Sometimes laughter is the easiest road to understanding.

We look forward to seeing you all there!